David Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women, including one who was 15 at the time of the alleged encounter, according to a joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian. The reports were published after the entertainer lost a legal bid to prevent the claims from becoming public.

Some of the women allege that Walliams groomed them when they were teenagers. One individual has characterized her alleged encounter with Walliams when she was 15 as a sexual assault. The allegations surfaced after a three-year investigation by the news organizations.

In a letter to journalists, Walliams stated he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. He acknowledged behaving "thoughtlessly" towards people he had casual sexual relationships with and regretted not always considering their feelings properly. He asserted that while a power imbalance is inevitable with fame, he never abused that power.

The investigation detailed allegations from women who, unknown to each other, claim to have been targets of unwanted sexual advances from Walliams. These include claims of grooming and sexual activity with a 17-year-old, an alleged attempted sexual assault on a 15-year-old at his home, and inappropriate behavior at ITV's Britain's Got Talent, such as inviting young women to his dressing room.

Following the publication of the investigation, Walliams's literary agency, Independent Talent Group, confirmed it had dropped him. The BBC also removed the sketch comedy series "Little Britain," which Walliams starred in, from its iPlayer streaming service, describing the allegations as serious.

One of the accusers, Lilly Creightmore, who alleges Walliams groomed her as a teen, expressed anger at his behavior. She stated that she was 15 when she first met him and described the subsequent events as sexual assault.

Walliams's career has spanned television, including his role as a judge on "Britain's Got Talent," and successful children's books. The allegations now cast a shadow over his public image and professional relationships.

This situation raises significant questions about power dynamics in the entertainment industry and the accountability of public figures. The full scope of the allegations and potential further repercussions remain to be seen as the story develops.